I got to ride out to the ship in their RHIB, so when we got there they just 'reeled us in.' It was a little rough for the coxswain getting things lined up, but once he did, he just floored it and up we went. At least most of the way. Then we hooked up to the winch system on the FIREBOLT and they pulled us up the rest of the way, and shut the stern gate behind us.
I can't go into details, but the ship went on a little patrol to take a look at things and exert some 'freedom of passage.' Nothing eventful at all. The other sailor that went with me said he saw a dead cow floating in the water. He showed me a picture of it later. It was a definitely a holstein. They fall off animal carriers or otherwise find their way into the water upriver.
When I got back to KAAOT, I went right back out again on an exercise with our boats. We run exercises to test the response of our picket ships. Our boats are often 'opposing force' or OPFOR during these. On paper the profiles look pretty boring, but in reality, out on the water, things can get pretty exiting. Especially at night, and especially when the picket ships really act aggressive.
In between these two trips, I finally made a trip right here on KAAOT. This time is was straight up. Up the old South Oil Company (SOC) building, affectionately known as the KAAOT Hilton, in the middle of the coalition platform. We had a Royal Fleet Auxiliary alongside to help move some conex boxes over to the other oil terminal, ABOT, it was a crystal clear day, and I wanted to take some pictures. This ship was able to just hover right next to platform B and lift the boxes off and onto her deck.
I also wanted to get an aerial view of KAAOT, or at least the coalition platform. This shot is of the South Complex, which is where I live. The top left window that you can see, that's mine. Well, it goes to a room that I share with one other. Each of these rooms is called a Containerized Living Unit, or CLU. Looking at the coverings on the top, you can see the complex is really three stacks of CLU's. It actually rained a couple times this week, so the coverings come in handy. Outside, you can see our outdoor gym. There was someone doing sit-ups when I took this. And of course this shows how close we are to the water. Some call this opening the diving pool because its below the tower. It would be more than 10-meters from the top floor to the water, and you'd have to clear the concrete beach where the SOC workers like to fish from.
After all these adventures the first day of the week things finally slowed down. We had some rough weather, and that has a huge impact on the operational tempo, or 'optempo.' Whenever its starts to get bad, the first thing they cancel is small boat operations. Once the MESF boats stop running there is very little for me be actively involved in. I use these opportunities to study and read up on things. Yesterday was the worst weather we've seen yet, with 10-foot seas and 40-knot winds. The whole place was shaking and vibrating pretty good.
On the morale side of things, Katie and I have been talking twice a week on Skype. No only is the audio connection better than the official phones on here, we also get the added benefit of video. The mail is getting through, as well. When Katie sends me stuff, it takes less than two weeks to get here. It not only has to get to Kuwait, to the APO address I've had since arriving in theater, but then get on the resupply tug and make its way out here. So two weeks is pretty good! Katie keeps me stocked with my magazines and other stuff.
This week gave me a chance to watch some of the movies I have on my laptop. Actually they are on a removable hard drive. One of the guys in Kuwait gave me a bunch of movies before I left.
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